SALVADOR, Brazil - Spain's team is creeping up in age and its core of Barcelona players are coming off a forgettable season.
Yet coach Vicente del Bosque expects his defending champions to hit form quickly today against the Netherlands in the World Cup.
The rematch of the 2010 final, won by Spain 1-0, provides Group B with a riveting opener that could have an impact on each team's chances in Brazil.
"This is a mature team with players in their prime. They aren't here for what they have achieved, but what they will achieve," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said Thursday from the Arena Fonte Nova.
Spain is the tournament's most experienced squad, which means key players such as Iker Casillas, Xavi Hernandez, and Xabi Alonso could be playing in their final major championship. But those veterans are not ready for the winning run they started at Euro 2008 to come to an end in South America.
"Our team has a strong desire to go as far as possible and to defend this title, which won't be easy. The pressure motivates us," said Casillas, who led Real Madrid to the Champions League trophy despite playing as a backup this season.
Spain expects today's match to have no resemblance to the 2010 final, won in extra-time with Andres Iniesta's 116th-minute goal.
"The Netherlands has changed a lot in four years. Our team has been stable over the last four years compared to them," Del Bosque said. "They've had some enormous changes."
Brazilian-born striker Diego Costa is expected to start up front for a Spain team that will look all too familiar to those who have watched it defend its European Championship trophy in 2012 after its maiden World Cup win in South Africa.